Need a job to stay out of prison; denied jobs for having been in prison. Such is the dilemma for the 600,000 prisoners released from state and federal prisons in 2012… Continue reading
“The more opportunities we in prison have to learn to value education and see possibilities for ourselves, the greater the chance we will break the cycle of incarceration not just for ourselves but for future generations to come.”
– Chrisfino Kenyatta Leal, 2011 valedictorian of the Prison University Project
The Potential Savings
The effects of reducing recidivism in California’s prison system carry not only huge monetary benefits, but also positive societal changes Ultimately, reducing prison overcrowding in California saves millions and cultivates a more successful generation of ex-offenders. Out are the strict and rigid boot camp and strict talk-therapy solutions of yesteryear, as advocates of criminal justice reform are taking a less abrasive — yet seemingly more effective — approach to jamming the revolving door.
The Benefits of Education in Prisons
There are 2.26 million adults incarcerated in U.S. prisons (world’s highest incarceration rate), and each year more than 700,000 leave federal and state prisons and try to integrate back into society. Unfortunately, within three years, 40 percent will be re-incarcerated. One reason for this is that these ex-criminals lack the knowledge, training, and skills to support a successful return to communities…
The Benefits of Rehabilitation
Due to severe overcrowding in prisons, inmates are unable to take part in rehabilitation programs that could lead to their early release. In California, there are more than 90,000 prisoners convicted of drug-related crimes. If these individuals had access to rehabilitation facilities, their likelihood of picking up old drug habits upon release would decrease…
Unemployment: The Biggest Obstacle to Successful Reentry
Finding a job is hard enough for the average Californian, but imagine trying to get hired when you have to report a criminal record on every job application you submit. This is the reality for thousands of Californians every year. Studies have shown that obtaining employment is the most important factor in determining whether or not ex-convicts will return to a life of crime. Given this information, it would be reasonable to assume that efforts are made to give prisoners some sort of job-skills training before they are released. However, these types of programs are often the first to be cut when budgets are strained.
Jam the Revolving Door 